World briefs

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star
Zhang Ziyi
sued two media outlets for defamation over stories alleging she received millions of yuan to have sex with suspended Politburo member Bo Xilai and other Chinese leaders. Ms Zhang suffered “immense grievance and distress" because of the stories, which she denied, her lawyers said in a complaint filed yesterday at the High Court of Hong Kong. She is seeking unspecified damages. Bloomberg

The Kremlin has raised pressure on Russia’s opposition, searching the homes of several of its leading figures. The early morning raids sent a new shudder through political circles preparing for another big demonstration in central Moscow.The New York Times

India’s industrial production rose less than estimated in April, adding to the case for an interest rate cut to bolster a weakening economy. Production at factories, utilities and mines increased 0.1 per cent from a year earlier, after a revised 3.2 per cent drop in March. Bloomberg

Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez
switched from battling cancer to fighting a re-election campaign as he formally declared his candidacy with an open-top parade and a 10-minute singing performance. Despite being gravely ill, he walked from his open-top truck to the registration desk after singing. The Guardian